Make sure you have an up-to-date asthma action plan, and continue to use your asthma medication as directed.

People with asthma have sensitive airways that can react to different triggers in their environment. For some people with asthma, ongoing exposure to triggers can cause continued inflammation (swelling and redness) and excess mucus production in the airways, making their asthma worse.

Atopy is the genetic tendency to develop allergic conditions. Many people with asthma are atopic and have an increased risk of developing other allergic conditions. If you are atopic, some allergens can be trigger factors that can cause increased asthma symptoms and reduced asthma control when you are exposed to them.

anaphylaxis – a severe form of an allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening.

Identifying asthma triggers

Asthma is often initially recognised by people when symptoms get worse in response to particular allergens or other triggers. Everyone's asthma is different, and everyone has different triggers. For most people with asthma, however, triggers are only a problem when their asthma is not well-controlled.

Identifying and reducing exposure to your allergen triggers may improve your asthma control and make your asthma symptoms easier to manage, but it is important you talk with your doctor about how to manage the allergen. Your doctor may prescribe medication and advise how to reduce your exposure to your allergen triggers if appropriate. They may also update your asthma action plan.

If you think you are suffering from an allergy, keep a symptom diary to record the times and situations when your asthma is worse and to help identify triggers. Then see your doctor for advice.

While allergy avoidance measures may help to reduce exposure to allergen triggers, make sure you continue to use your asthma medication as directed and follow your asthma action plan. This is both a cheaper and more effective way of dealing with your asthma.

Allergens that trigger asthma

Allergens are any substance that can bring on an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless to other people. If you are allergic to something, eating it, inhaling it, injecting it or touching it can bring on an allergic reaction.

Asthma symptoms can occur when an allergen is breathed into the lungs of a sensitive person. This leads to swelling of the lining of the airways and tightening of the muscles around the airway, which causes narrowing of the airway and difficulty in breathing.

The most common allergic triggers for asthma are house dust mites, pets (animal dander), pollen and mould. Thunderstorms are a rare allergic asthma trigger.

Allergy testing for asthma

There are two main allergy tests that can help to pinpoint your allergens – skin prick tests and blood tests for serum specific IgE.

Skin prick tests are performed at your doctor's office or medical clinic, or by an allergy specialist. Small amounts of different allergen solutions, such as pollen extract, are pricked into your skin along your arm or on your back. If you are sensitised to the allergen the skin swells or develops a welt.

Serum specific IgE allergy tests are blood tests that detect specific IgE antibodies. These antibodies are made by your body’s immune system against allergens such as dust mites, pollens, animal dander, moulds and foods.

These skin and blood tests are not conclusive in determining asthma triggers. Just because your skin and blood react to an allergen, doesn't mean your lungs will too. Think of these tests as a helpful starting point. Tests such as these should only ever be performed under the guidance of a doctor or allergy specialist.

Related information on other websites

Support Groups

Content Partner

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Asthma Australia

Last updated:
September 2017

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health & Human Services shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.